Slots are the busiest area of any online casino, and most operators will list several hundred different titles. It’s one of the ways in which they look to compete in a crowded sector, but why is there so much choice?
Having so many games to select from could lead to confusion, but the range is actually improving the end-user experience.
Basic Beginnings
Slot machines used to be very basic games. Those who have played the ancient ‘one-armed bandits’ in the physical world will recall they had an elementary set up. In most cases, there were three reels in place and the same fruit symbols on each machine. The object of the game was to line up matching images across the central payline for a cash win.
Those original symbols; cherries, grapes, watermelons and others led to the name ‘fruit machines’. They still exist in some online slots, but much has changed besides. Head to any UK online casino and the titles listed are far more complex. There are dozens of different themes, and within those games, the mechanics and gameplay go far beyond that basic concept of lining up matching symbols along the central payline.
Like all gamers, slot players demand more variety in their options, and that’s why themes, gameplay and mechanics offer the pathway to success for software developers.
The Importance of a Theme
Those who have been playing slot games for some time will first look for a theme. With so many options available, online casinos use those themes to categorize the many hundreds of titles on offer.
Popular themes include fantasy, film and TV, animals, cartoons and luck. The luck of the Irish is a common category with many slots available within this section.
Themes are important because they help players to identify new games that they might like to try. If, for example, a new slot release appears in the fantasy section, the operator will promote it on their platform, and players who enjoy that theme will likely try it out.
Gameplay Essentials
Themes are important, but having interesting gameplay on a slot is essential. Some players will continue to enjoy the concept of classic slots, with their stripped-back process, but they are in the minority.
Most slot enthusiasts will look for bonus features, including wild symbols that replace others to form a matching run. Scatter symbols will offer a key to bonus rounds such as free spins and pick games.
It’s all about maintaining interest and keeping players engaged during their time on the slots.
Don’t Overlook the Mechanics
The term ‘mechanics’ can often be confused with gameplay, but there are key differences. Mechanics generally refer to the smaller details of a slot such as its Return to Player percentage.
The RTP figures show how much the game pays out on average and figures will vary around the 93% to 97% marks. They are independently verified and measured over many thousands of spins.
The numbers are important and experienced slot players will pay close attention to them. While results will vary, a slot with a 97% RTP will pay more on average than a game with a 93% level. The 93% slot still has a place on the platform, and while wins may be less frequent, they could be higher when they land.
Mechanics are a minor point when compared to themes and gameplay, but it all adds up to the end result. Slot players want to be entertained, and that means providing more than the basics of lining three symbols along a central payline.
Bonus rounds add a touch of drama to play, and the aim of landing those scatter symbols offers more targets during the base game.
Slots are simply more rounded in the modern era, and the additional features help to add a fun element. Most can be played just for fun as a free trial, without any funds at stake, and that’s another indication that developers are focusing on the players and their user experience.
